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[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 84 (Friday, May 1, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 24854-24856]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-10073]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-1177; Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-009-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft LTD. Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-12/47 and PC-12/47E airplanes. This 
proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information 
(MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to 
identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The 
MCAI describes the unsafe condition as the aileron trim tab 
disconnecting above 10,000 feet altitude. We are issuing this proposed 
AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 15, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd, Customer Support Manager, CH-6371 STANS, 
Switzerland; phone: +41 (0)41 619 33 33; fax: +41 (0)41 619 73 11; 
email: /aircraft.com">aircraft.com">SupportPC12@pilatus-aircraft.com; Internet: http://www.pilatus-
aircraft.com. You may review this referenced service information at the 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call (816) 329-4148.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
1177; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket 
Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments 
will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
doug.rudolph@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2015-1177; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-009-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued AD 
No.: 2015-0060, dated April 10, 2015 (referred to after this as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
MCAI states:

[[Page 24855]]

    During a continued airworthiness review, a potential unsafe 
condition was identified that could result from a disconnected 
aileron trim tab occurring above an altitude of 10.000 feet.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead, in case of a 
disconnection of an aileron trim tab, to undamped aeroplane 
vibrations, potentially resulting in structural failure.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Pilatus Aircraft 
Ltd. issued SB No. 27-021 to provide instructions for replacement of 
the aileron tab counter balance weight.
    For the reason described above, this AD requires replacement of 
the aileron tab counter balance weight with a new, slightly heavier, 
aileron tab counter balance weight.

You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-1177.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. has issued PILATUS PC-12 Service Bulletin No: 
27-021, dated January 20, 2015. The PILATUS PC-12 Service Bulletin No: 
27-021, dated January 20, 2015, describes procedures to replace the 
aileron tab counter balance weight. This service information is 
reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it 
through their normal course of business or by the means identified in 
the ADDRESSES section of this NPRM.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they 
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and 
service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because 
we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition exists 
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type 
design.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 303 products of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 5.5 work-hours per 
product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The 
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost 
about $1,000 per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $444,652.50, or $1,467.50 per product.
    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed 
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation 
Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's 
authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not 
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship 
between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution 
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed 
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Docket No. FAA-2015-1177; Directorate 
Identifier 2015-CE-009-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by June 15, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the following Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. model and 
serial number airplanes, certificated in any category.
    (1) Model PC-12/47, manufacturer serial numbers (MSNs) 684 
through MSN 888; and
    (2) Model PC-12/47E, MSNs 545, and 1001 through 1520.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 27: Flight 
Controls.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another 
country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation 
product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as the aileron trim 
tab disconnecting above 10,000 feet altitude. We are issuing this AD 
to prevent a disconnected aileron trim tab, which could lead to 
undamped airplane vibrations, potentially resulting in structural 
failure.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions:
    (1) For airplanes equipped with aileron trim tab assembly, part 
number (P/N) 527.15.12.037 or 527.15.12.038; or aileron assembly, P/
N 557.05.12.015, 557.05.12.016, 557.05.12.017, or 557.05.12.018, 
within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, replace the 
aileron tab counter balance weight and re-identify the aileron trim 
tab assembly following the instructions of Pilatus PC-12 Service 
Bulletin No: 27-021, dated January 20, 2015.
    (2) For an airplane that on the effective date of this AD has an 
aileron trim tab assembly, P/N 27.15.12.037 or 527.15.12.038, 
installed: After modification of that airplane as required by 
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, do not install another aileron trim tab 
assembly with P/N 527.15.12.037 or 527.15.12.038.
    (3) For an airplane that on the effective date of this AD does 
not have an aileron trim tab assembly, P/N 27.15.12.037 or 
527.15.12.038, installed: After the effective date of this AD, do 
not install an aileron trim tab assembly with P/N 527.15.12.037 or 
527.15.12.038.

[[Page 24856]]

    (4) After the effective date of this AD, you are allowed to 
install on an airplane an aileron assembly, having a P/N 
557.05.12.015, 557.05.12.016, 557.05.12.017, or 557.05.12.018, 
provided that an aileron trim tab assembly, P/N 527.15.12.037 or 
527.15.12.038 is not installed on the airplane.

(g) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this 
AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send 
information to ATTN: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
doug.rudolph@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane 
to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal 
inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), 
or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.

(h) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.: 
2015-0060, dated April 10, 2015, for related information. You may 
examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-1177. For service 
information related to this AD, contact PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD, 
Customer Support Manager, CH-6371 STANS, Switzerland; phone: +41 
(0)41 619 33 33; fax: +41 (0)41 619 73 11; email: 
/aircraft.com">aircraft.com">SupportPC12@pilatus-aircraft.com; Internet: http://www.pilatus-
aircraft.com. You may review this referenced service information at 
the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material 
at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 23, 2015.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-10073 Filed 4-30-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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